(052) The Relationship between Sexual Empowerment and Women's Sexual Pleasure

Abstract

Abstract Introduction It is debated whether feelings of sexual empowerment are intrinsically derived or whether they are a guise for the positive feelings associated with conforming well to society’s standards. The nexus of sexual empowerment and sexual performance can be examined through the experience of sexual pleasure. The link between sexual empowerment and sexual performance and sexual pleasure has not been explored in depth. Objective This study aims to identify the association between sexual pleasure and sexual performance, sexual pleasure and sexual empowerment, and sexual empowerment and sexual performance. The association between sexual empowerment levels and experiences of sexual pleasure with partners among women is investigated. Methods Using a purposive convenience sample, data from 1,183 millennials (642 women) from The Pleasure Study (2021-2021) were used, which examined gender and sexual experiences among six gender identity groups. Data on the frequency of orgasm experience, the frequency of orgasm performance, the frequency of sexual pleasure performance, and sexual empowerment were analyzed for this study. Results Analyses determined a significant indirect effect of communication about sexual initiation and satisfaction on frequency of experiencing orgasms with partners through frequency of sexual pleasure performance, b = -0.049, 95% CI [-0.099, -0.021]. There was also a significant indirect effect of unwanted sex refusal on frequency of experiencing orgasms with partners through frequency of orgasm performance, b = -0.037, 95% CI [-0.085, -0.022]. Furthermore, there was a significant indirect effect of unwanted sex refusal on frequency of experiencing orgasms with partners through frequency of sexual pleasure performance, b = -0.053, 95% CI [-0.087, -0.022]. Conclusions This study demonstrates that sexually empowered women perform sexual pleasure less, and this decreased performance of sexual pleasure mediated the association between their sexual empowerment levels and their more frequent orgasm experiences. Higher levels of sexual communication and the ability to refuse unwanted sexual relations predicted performing sexual pleasure less, and decreased performance of sexual pleasure in turn predicted more frequent orgasm experiences. Interestingly, sexual history communication was not associated with decreased performance of sexual pleasure nor more frequent orgasm experiences. Thus, the results suggest that women increase their sexual pleasure with partners when focusing on communicating about their sexual needs and preferences. Disclosure No